Of Thanks

Ryan makes good things happen.  It's one of his many qualities for which I'm grateful.

I'd like to think that my talents complement his, that we're a good balance for one another, helping each become better through the conduits of being in tandem.

The beauty and mystery of a family is all the talents coming together to create a unique concoction, sometimes creating harmony and other times a dissonance that has me tilting my head in discomfort until it ceases, as it inevitably does, or else why have a family at all?

squished

Olive, with her ever sunshiny disposition, her dramatic body language, complete with the frequent jazz hands and open mouth.  She has no time to waste on clouds of gloom and runs quickly until sunshine hits her cheeks again.

Pearl, true to her name, creates something of beauty with trials and discomfort.  Her sensitivity to others is elevated beyond the normal 9-year-old.  Her show of gratitude comes from someplace deeper than lessons from parents.  We, in turn, are grateful for her.

Azure's body is much too small to represent the amount of fiery spirit within.  She is passionate, and listening to her relay a story from her life, you can feel that passion.  She loves equality, and while she finds a huge amount of injustice in the life of a 6-year-old, I know that quality will play out beautifully like the well played strings of a violin, if we're getting cheesy, in the years to come and she learns how and where to release the fervor that lies within.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed at the task of mothering these souls.  These souls who have come to us as their own, with just a tint of their parents, some of my need to create, a bit of Ryan's sensitivity for others and desire to right the wrongs of the world.

choices

They are these, and they are their own.

And we get to watch and attempt to help, perhaps more like flounder, as we teach what we know, share what we've experienced and hope and pray that they will want to learn and use our mistakes and missteps to their advantage to start life a few rungs higher.

Drummer's personality is unfolding.  He is blessed to have a flock of adoring fans built into his daily life.  Parents and sisters alike who rush to soothe his cries, to pick him up and show him the world.  He is demanding, but I have a feeling he will give more than he'll ever take.

Divine has shown signs of a good mother already, as Drummer will turn to her first among the sisters.  She likes to please others and make people laugh, and talents of a visual nature come easily to her.

in the "hive"

choosing charms for their bracelets

Clover doesn't miss a thing.  She knows when we've passed our street, she knows who is where, and she knows where things are (although it's often because she has hidden them).  She knows.  Her knowledge will soon be wisdom and she uses those pieces to identify outcomes and possibilities.  And boy, is she fun.  

So, as we prepare to celebrate our day of giving thanks, I feel gratitude for the personalities that I call my family.  They add flavor, they add zest, and above all, they help me to strive to be better, and soon they will surpass everything I'm able to teach them.

Which is exactly how I would have it.

Happy Thanksgiving.